Thursday, April 19, 2007

To remember and honor the victims of April 16, the university has established the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund to aid in the healing process and generate financial support.

Media notices

Next news conference Wednesday at 9 a.m. at Inn at Virginia Tech

News and notices

Last updated 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 17

The Virginia State Police have been coordinating the notification of the victims’ next-of-kin with local authorities around the country. At this time, all families have been tentatively notified. Read a complete investigation update

Streaming video of today's Convocation is now available at hokiesports.com.

Classes are canceled for the remainder of the week to allow students to mourn and begin healing. Campus will reopen Wednesday for administrative operations.

Norris Hall has been closed for the remainder of the semester.

The Virginia Tech Police Department has confirmed the identification of the gunman responsible for the multiple fatalities at Norris Hall on the Virginia Tech campus Monday. Ballistics match at both crime scenes.

Get further details in our special section >

Tragedy at Virginia Tech

This page is being updated regularly by University Relations. Please check back often for updates and additional information.

Important phone numbers

A toll-free information line has been established for parents and family: 1-800-533-1144.

Anyone who has information related to the incidents is encouraged to go to the Blacksburg Police Department to make a statement, or call 540/231-6411.

Investigation update

Posted 5:30 p.m., April 17, 2007

State, local, and federal law enforcement officials continue their round-the-clock investigation of the multiple fatal shootings that took place on the Virginia Tech campus the morning of Monday, April 16, 2007.

Within the past 24 hours, a search warrant was executed on the dorm room of Cho Seung-Hui, 23, in Harper Hall. Investigators are still determining the evidentiary value of papers and assorted items seized from the room.

Investigators have also been following up on leads related to the two weapons recovered at the scene in Norris Hall. The two weapons used in this incident were a 9-milimeter handgun and a 22-caliber handgun. Investigators have traced the weapons and confirmed that Cho did legally purchase them in accordance with Virginia law.

There is no evidence at this time to suggest that Cho left behind or distributed a suicide note.

The Virginia State Police have been coordinating the notification of the victims’ next-of-kin with local authorities around the country. At this time, all families have been tentatively notified.

The major thrust of the Medical Examiner’s Office today has been obtaining fingerprint records to identify the victims. These records must be obtained from local, state, federal, and international agencies. Staff at the Medical Examiner’s Office is working 12-hour shifts with staff resources from all over the state to expedite the scientific collection of evidence and positive identification of the deceased. This process is expected to continue for several more days.

Recreational Sports adjusts facility schedules

Posted 5:15 p.m., April 17, 2007

Recreational Sports has arranged to keep its facilities at McComas and War Memorial open for the rest of the week. Students, faculty, and staff have a place to go on campus to work out and relieve some stress so that they can start the healing process after these tragic events. Unfortunately, the pools will not be opened in either facility due to limited staffing.

Rec Sports also has cancelled the following: All instructional classes, group exercise classes, intramural sports activities, the Graduate Life Fitness Fair, the University Bookstore 5K Dash for the Cure, and the Intramural Sports Softball Championship Night.

Download a detailed schedule for both facilities (PDF).

NCR / Northern Virginia campus announcements

Updated 2:15 p.m., April 17, 2007

Virginia Tech faculty, staff and students in the National Capital Region will gather together Wednesday, April 18th, at noon at the Northern Virginia Center, room 100, to share our collective sorrow about the tragic events of April 16th in Blacksburg.

Virginia Tech in the National Capital Region will hold a public Candlelight Vigil on Wednesday, April 18, 7:30 p.m., at the Old Town Market Square, City Hall, 300 King Street, Alexandria, Va., to honor victims of the tragic events of April 16 on the university’s main campus in Blacksburg.

At 8 p.m. the same evening, the National Capital Region Chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association will hold a Candlelight Vigil at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 9220 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, Va. This non-denominational event is an opportunity for Hokies to join together and show their support for the family and friends of the victims.

A special message to all alumni of Virginia Tech

Posted noon, April 17, 2007

To our Virginia Tech alumni, I write the kind of message I never expected to have to write in my entire career serving the university ...

Read the full message from Tom Tillar, Vice President for Alumni Relations

Board of Visitors to meet

Posted 11:40 a.m., April 17, 2007

The Board of Visitors will meet in closed session at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the Merryman Center conference room.

Classes canceled for remainder of week

Posted 9:30 a.m., April 17, 2007

Virginia Tech continues to mourn the loss of 33 members of our community. As we move forward, we share the following information:

Virginia Tech will cancel all classes for the remainder of the week to allow students the time they need to grieve and seek assistance as needed. The university will re-open administrative operations beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, April 18, understanding that some faculty and staff may wish to take additional time off this week to grieve the loss of fellow colleagues and friends. We ask individual employees to communicate with their supervisors of their schedules for the balance of the week.
We will close Norris Hall for the remainder of the semester. Staff are currently working to arrange alternative locations for classrooms and faculty offices.
Counseling and other resources are available for students, faculty, and staff. Students may receive counseling at McComas Hall and counselors will be available for extended hours. Counselors will also be available in West Ambler Johnston for residents.
Employees may receive needed support by going to the Brush Mountain Room in Squires Student Center throughout the day.
The university will be holding a convocation ceremony at 2 p.m. at Cassell Coliseum. This will be the first time the Virginia Tech community will come together since the tragedy to share our collective sorrow. At that time, President George Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, Gov. Timothy Kaine, Mrs. Kaine, members of our Board of Visitors, members of the clergy, our students, and poet Nikki Giovanni will share messages of condolence to the family and friends of the victims and words of hope to all of us as we move forward past this tragedy.

Again, we encourage all members of the Virginia Tech community to attend. Should the coliseum be full, the event will be broadcast on campus cable stations.

The Virginia Tech community, and the world at large, continues to struggle with these horrible events. We hope these steps will help in that healing process.

Norris Hall gunman identified; ballistics match at both crime scenes

Posted 9:15 a.m., April 17, 2007

The Virginia Tech Police Department has confirmed the identification of the gunman responsible for the multiple fatalities at Norris Hall on the Virginia Tech campus Monday, April 16, 2007.

Cho Seung-Hui

The individual has been identified as Cho Seung-Hui, 23. Cho was enrolled as an undergraduate student in his senior year as an English major at Virginia Tech. Cho, a South Korean native, was in the U.S. as a resident alien with a residence established in Centerville, Va. Cho was living on campus in Harper Residence Hall.

A 9-milimeter handgun and 22-caliber handgun were recovered from Norris Hall. Ballistic tests on the evidence seized from the Norris Hall and the West Ambler Johnston Residence Hall scenes were conducted at the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) lab in Maryland. Lab results confirmed that one of the two weapons seized in Norris Hall was used in both shootings.

“At this time, the evidence does not conclusively identify Cho Seung-Hui as the gunman at both locations,” said Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. “With this newfound ballistics evidence, we are now able to proceed to the next level of this complex investigation.”

State, local, and federal investigators spent the night collecting, processing, and analyzing evidence from within Norris Hall. The deceased were recovered from at least four classrooms on the second floor and a stairwell of Norris Hall. The gunman, who took his life, was discovered by police in a classroom among the victims.

All of the deceased have been transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Roanoke for examination and identification.

The names of the 32 deceased students and faculty will be released once all victims are positively identified and next-of-kin notified.

The Virginia Tech Police Department, Blacksburg Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, FBI, ATF, and multiple other state and local agencies are all involved in the ongoing investigations at both Norris Hall and West Ambler Johnston Hall.

Counseling available today

Updated 8 a.m., April 17, 2007

Counseling assistance for faculty and staff today has been moved to Brush Mountain Room A in Squires Student Center, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Counseling assistance for for students is available at West Ambler Johnston and McComas Hall until 9 p.m.. Students are encouraged to utilize these services. Students may also gather at the Old Dominion Ballroom in Squires Student Center.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

20070418 The passion thrill and magic of April

Westminster Eagle

“The passion, thrill, and magic of April”

April 18, 2007 by Kevin Dayhoff

The American essayist, poet, and leader of the Transcendentalist movement in the early nineteenth century, Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The April winds are magical, and thrill our tuneful frames. The garden-walks are passional to bachelors and dames.”

Hopefully we won’t have an April this year as we had 110 years ago. The Democratic Advocate reported on April 24, 1897: “A blast from the North bore down on this section Monday night, sending down the mercury to 26 at 7 o'clock on Tuesday morning… This has been the coldest April for twenty years.”

To look back in Carroll County history, any given month of the year provides an historian with a cornucopia of thrilling stories to explore, but April has always been especially fascinating.

Perhaps one person in Carroll County history who may have opted for a less passionate month was the editor of the Western Maryland Democrat, Joseph Shaw.

Mr. Shaw was lynched in Westminster at the corner of Anchor and West Main Street for an editorial that he had published in the paper just days before President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14^th 1865.

It might be important to mention at this point, that these days, murdering editors is on the disapproved behavior list in Westminster.

The mid-1970s was not a good time for planning reservoirs. It was in April 1973 that yet another proposed reservoir was on its way to being forced off the drawing board by public outcry. Remember, a $5 million reservoir proposed by Westminster on Big Pipe Creek in Union Mills was shot-down in September 1976.

The Carroll Record published an editorial on April 12, 1973: “Again—To the concern of many and to the dismay of hundreds more, in Carroll and Frederick Counties, the Sixes Bridge Dam and Lake Project (on the Monocacy River) is back on the front burner again… (A) new report entitled, Potomac River Basin Water Supply, coupled with vocal action by citizen groups… fearing a water shortage, has again alarmed area residents.” The proposed, but never built, $32 million reservoir was going to be paid for entirely by the federal government.

On another public safety and welfare note, the American Sentinel reported on April 11, 1896, the cornerstone for the new Westminster fire hall on Main Street was set with great pomp and ceremony by the Door to Virtue Lodge No. 40.

“The event had long been anticipated with interest, not only by the firemen, but by citizens generally, and drew to the scene a large assembly of people… It was preceded by a parade of the Westminster Band and the firemen, in full dress uniform… under charge of the marshal, Ex-Mayor Joseph D. Brooks; E. J. Lawyer, president and F. K. Herr, chief.”

Ten years later, on April 6, 1906, the fire company only to go next door to spring into action. According to the American Sentinel, a fire destroyed the “Palace livery stable and residence of Mr. Harry H. Harbaugh, on East Main Street, with nearly (all) their entire contents, consisting of 22 horses, 45 vehicles… The stable was a large frame structure… between the Firemen's Building and the residence of Mayor O. D. Gilbert… The rear of the stable bordered on St. John's Catholic Cemetery.”

On the bright side, the Democratic Advocate reported on April 2, 1948, that the American Legion in Westminster installed their first TV set. “Television is still in its infancy; however it is particularly well adapted to sports events. Each night a major sport is televised. This large television set was installed by J. Stoner Geiman.”

On another positive note, the Carroll Record reported on April 5, 1973, “Friday morning started grey and rainy, much to the dismay of local residents of the Union Bridge area. (It) was the day that Sergeant Peter Edward Drabic (finally returned) to his hometown after four and one half years of captivity in Vietnam.”

Hopefully Mother Nature has remembered to schedule spring this year. We’re overdue for “passional magic to thrill our tuneful frames.”

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org

####

20070418 Out of the horror emerges a hero

Out of the horror emerges a hero by Andrea Peyser of the New York Post

Don Surber calls to our attention “The best Va. Tech story.”

April 18, 2007

Photo credit: AP

http://www.nypost.com/seven/04172007/news/columnists/out_of_the_horror_emerges_a_hero_columnists_andrea_peyser.htm

Don Surber writes: I kept my big yap shut on Monday about the rampage on Virginia Tech. I had nothing intelligent to offer.

Andrea Peyser of the New York Post did. Her column, “Out of the horror emerges a hero,” is an excellent read. Right from the get go:

POP! One second, Derek O’Dell was studying German in the second-floor Virginia Tech classroom.

The next, he whipped his head around, just in time to see a bullet tear through the skull of the young man sitting next to him.

Even then, Derek, who turned 20 on Friday, thought the whole thing must be a terrible prank.

“And then I saw the blood,” he said quietly.

This newspaper journalism at its best. Read the whole thing, please.

Hat tip: Lucianne.com.

Actually – as called to our attention by one of the commenters, “lawhawk,” on Mr. Surber’s post, I’ve been captivated by the story of the professor from Israel:

I came across this story about another hero; a lecturer visiting from Israel who gave his life so that his students could escape. He also happened to be a Holocaust survivor (and yesterday marked Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel).

Also from the New York Post – they are carrying a Reuters’ piece: “A History of School Shootings.”

####

20070418 Pelosi stalls on war bill conferees

Pelosi stalls on war bill conferees

April 18^th, 2007

By Washington Times writer, by S.A. Miller – who used to write for the Carroll County Times many years ago, before he moved on to the Frederick News-Post and then on to the Washington Times…

Hat Tip: Lucianne (http://lucianne.com/main.asp) - “Pelosi stalls on war bill conferees” Original Article Posted By: Photoonist - 4/18/2007 12:49:15 AM

Lucianne introduces the article:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi yesterday delayed appointing lawmakers to finish a war-funding bill, putting off the emergency legislation for the second day since returning from the House's two-week spring break.

Mrs. Pelosi, California Democrat, did not name conferees Monday because severe storms slowed some East Coast lawmakers' returns to Washington and because some lawmakers attended Virginia Tech services for the shooting victims, her office said.

Both explanations certainly seem plausible – that is, until ya read the rest of the article.

I’ve always appreciated Mr. Miller’s work…

####

20070416 Local Blog Dispute Resolved Without Suit

Local Blog Dispute Resolved Without Suit

April 17, 2007

Local Blog Dispute Resolved Without Suit, Attorney Confirms

[see: 20070412 Local Bloggers Post Generates National Firestorm]

Submitted by MBA News on Mon, 2007-04-16 23:00. :: MBANews

Jared Allen wrote in The City Paper Local blog dispute resolved without suit, attorney confirms [Dead Link]

“Attorneys for JL Kirk & Assocs. contacted Media Bloggers Association attorney Ronald Coleman shortly after receiving his letter stating that the MBA was representing me in this dispute on Thursday afternoon,” Coble wrote Monday.

####

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

20070417 Introducing the book

Introducing the book

Gutenberg offers 'In your home' support

Hat tip: The Chairman

http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2007/introducing-the-book-p1.php

####

20070416 Carroll County EOC opens Monday evening

Carroll County Emergency Operations Center in action Monday evening, April 16^th, 2007 (See Carroll County Public Information Administrator, Vivian Laxton’s press release pasted at the bottom of this post…

Posted April 17th, 2007

Carroll County emergency response

The Carroll County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) opened for a couple of hours last Monday evening, April 16^th, 2007 to swing-in and help the residents at the adaptively re-used former Hampstead High School.

Even though – by the time the operations center began to evacuate the senior residents, who had been without power since the wee hours of the moring, BGE got the power back on. So, as it worked out, the shelter was not needed but in the long run, it was a good drill and once again the EOC essentially operated flawlessly. (See pasted at the bottom of his post – links to one of the last times the EOC was activated and once again, performed flawlessly… The December 15^th, 2007 train derailment in South Carroll.)

All of which should be comforting to Carroll County residents to know that once again, if emergency services had been needed – it runs well, by folks who really know what they are doing and are dedicated to protecting the public.

Some of the team members who gave up their evening to serve the public are in the photograph above. They are:

Mike Whitson, Carroll County Facilities Bureau Chief, is in the foreground.

Counter clockwise from Mr. Whitson is Ralph Green, the Carroll County Director of General Services.

Carroll County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Mark Gonder.

Ken Smallwood with the Red Cross.

Chrissy Calp, with the Carroll County Emergency Management – behind the computer terminal in the back.

Cyndi Ryan with the Red Cross.

Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association Liaison Leon Fleming - in the green shirt.

Also staffing the Carroll County Emergency Operations Center but not pictured was Bill Hall, Carroll County Emergency Management Coordinator; who had left earlier to go to the old Hampstead High School - “Hampstead Village.”

Jolene Sullivan, the Carroll County Director of Citizen Services who had left earlier to go open the North Carroll Senior Center.

Neal Roop, President, and CEO of Carroll Area Transit System, who was coordinating transportation for the seniors from Hampstead to the North Carroll Senior Center Shelter.

Vivian Laxton, the Carroll County Public Information Administrator.

Caroline Babylon with the Red Cross. And me – I took the picture.

____

20070416 Carroll County EOC opens Monday evening

News Release

For more information, contact: Vivian D. Laxton,
Public Information Administrator, 410-386-2973

For Immediate Release

Emergency Operations Center activates to assist seniors who lose electricity

April 16, 2007, 11:45 p.m. – Carroll County emergency managers activated the Emergency Operations Center this evening to assist residents of an 84-unit senior housing center in Hampstead in anticipation of a night without heat or electricity.

Residents of the Villages of Hampstead, known as the old Hampstead School, first reported being without power to BG&E at 4 a.m. Power was restored by 11:15 p.m., before anyone had to be relocated to a shelter.

Hampstead Mayor Haven Shoemaker requested the assistance of county officials as night approached. The facility is heated by electric heat pumps.

Agencies responded by arranging for cots to be set up in the North Carroll Senior and Community Center for as many as 70 of the approximately 100 residents.

The Departments of General Services and Citizen Services worked with the American Red Cross to establish the shelter. Carroll Area Transit Service provided two vehicles to transport residents. The Health Department agreed to send nurses to the shelter. Officers from the Hampstead Police Department and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office assisted. Once power was restored, the Emergency Operations Center shut down.

# # #

Carroll County emergency response

20061215 Press briefing at 6:30 pm on train derailment

20061215 Carroll Co. calling voluntary precautionary evacuation for train mishap

20061215 Sykesville Fire Dept Press Release by PIO Bill Rehkopf

20061215 CC PIO will host a news conference on train derailment

20061215 Train derails along Patapsco River

20070417 Monday April 16 Virginia Tech Timeline of Events

Monday April 16 Virginia Tech Timeline of Events

http://www.vt.edu/tragedy/timeline.php

Tragedy at Virginia Tech - Timeline of Events

Where is Blacksburg, Virginia, USA: (This is an AP graphic… some folks are unaware as to where the Virginia Tech campus is located.)

See additional images

For one of the initial Associated Press reports from 10:12 am PDT Monday, April 16, 2007 By SUE LINDSEY -- Associated Press Writer

Click here: http://dwb.sacbee.com/24hour/front/story/3600198p-12876407c.html

7:15 a.m.

Virginia Tech Police Department (VT PD) receives a 911 call to respond to a dormitory room at West Ambler Johnston Residence Hall.

Within minutes, Virginia Tech Police and Virginia Tech Rescue Squad respond to find two gunshot victims, a male and a female, inside a dormitory room within the Hall. The residence hall was immediately secured by VT PD, and students within the hall were notified and asked to remain in their rooms for their safety. VT PD immediately secured the room for evidence collection and began questioning dorm residents and identifying potential witnesses. In the preliminary stages of the investigation, it was believed the deaths were an isolated incident, domestic in nature.

Blacksburg Police Department was also on scene assisting VT PD with establishing a safety perimeter around the residence hall and securing Washington Street.

7:30 a.m.

Investigators were following up on leads concerning a person of interest in relation to the double homicide. Investigators from VT PD and Blacksburg PD were actively following up on various leads.

8:25 a.m.

Virginia Tech Leadership Team, which includes the university president, executive vice president, and provost, assembled to begin assessing the developing situation at the residence hall and determining a means of notifying students of the homicide.

9:00 a.m.

Leadership Team was briefed on the situation by VT PD Chief W.R. Flinchum on the latest developments in the ongoing investigation at the residence hall.

9:26 a.m.

The Virginia Tech community – all faculty and students – were notified by e-mail of the homicide investigation and scene at West Ambler Johnston Residence Hall, and asked to report any suspicious activity. The Virginia Tech Emergency/Weather Line recordings were also transmitted and a broadcast telephone message was made to campus phones. A press release was drafted and posted on the Virginia Tech website.

9:45 a.m.

The VT PD received a 911 call of a shooting at Norris Hall, which contains faculty offices, classrooms, and laboratories. VT PD and Blacksburg PD immediately responded to Norris Hall. Notice in leadership command center via our police rep of a shooting in Norris.

Upon arrival to Norris Hall, the officers found the front doors barricaded. Within a minute, the officers breached the doors, which had been chained shut from the inside.

Once inside the building, the officers heard gunshots. They followed the succession of gunshots to the second floor. Just as the officers reached the second floor, the gunshots stopped.

The officers discovered the gunman, who had taken his own life. There was never any engagement between the responding officers and the gunman.

9:55 a.m.

By the same means as prior notice, Virginia Tech notified campus community of the second murder scene. Other notifications followed via other means.

_____

20070416 Virginia Tech update from 445 PM

Campus remains closed; convocation Tuesday at Cassell

04/16/2007, Updated 4:45 p.m.

http://198.82.160.236/

Two shootings on campus today have left 33 dead. Thirty-one, including the gunman, died at Norris Hall; two died at West Ambler Johnston Hall.

Counseling assistance for students is available at West Ambler Johnston and McComas halls until 9 p.m. tonight. Students are encouraged to utilize these services.

Counseling for faculty and staff is available in the Bowman Room on the fourth floor of Jamerson Athletic Center, accessible from Jamerson or the Merryman Athletic Facility.

The university will remain closed Tuesday. Essential personnel are to report for work. Classes are canceled.

A public gathering will be held Tuesday at Cassell Coliseum at 2 p.m.

All students are urged to contact their parents as soon as possible to let them know individuals are safe.

Students, faculty, and staff who have any information related to the incidents are encouraged to go to the Blacksburg Police Department to make statements, or call 540-231-TIPP (8477), or 231-6411.

More information will be released during a news conference at 4:30 p.m.

_____

Campus remains closed; convocation Tuesday

http://198.82.160.236/tragedy/

UPDATE: 3:45 p.m., April 16, 2007

Virginia Tech remains closed on Monday, April 16, 2007. Vehicular entrances to campus are severely restricted to essential personnel only. Additional security remains on campus as the investigation continues.

Counseling assistance for students is available at West Ambler Johnston and McComas Hall until 9 p.m. Monday night. Students are encouraged to utilize these services. Counseling for faculty and staff is available in the Bowman Room on the fourth floor of Jamerson Athletic Center, accessible from Jamerson or the Merryman Athletic Facility. Students may also gather at the Old Dominion Ballroom in Squires Student Center.

The university will also be closed on Tuesday, April 17. Essential personnel are to report for work. Classes are canceled.

A public gathering will be held on Tuesday, April 17 at Cassell Coliseum at 2 p.m. (a time change from the originally scheduled gathering).

All students are urged to contact their parents as soon as possible to let them know they are safe.

Students, faculty, and staff who may have any information related to the incident at West Ambler Johnston Hall and Norris Hall are encouraged to go to the Blacksburg Police Department to make statements, or call 540-231-TIPP (8477), or 231-6411

Parents with concerns are asked to call the Dean of Students Office at 540-231-3787.

Individuals injured in the two shootings have been taken to area hospitals.

Statement by President Charles W. Steger

http://198.82.160.236/tragedy/

12:10 p.m., April 16, 2007

The university was struck today with a tragedy of monumental proportions. There were two shootings on campus. In each case, there were fatalities. The university is shocked and horrified that this would befall our campus. I want to extend my deepest, sincerest and most profound sympathies to the families of these victims which include students There are 22 confirmed deaths.

We currently are in the process of notifying families of victims. The Virginia Tech Police are being assisted by numerous other jurisdictions. Crime scenes are being investigated by the FBI, University Police, and State Police. We continue to work to identify the victims impacted by this tragedy. I cannot begin to covey my own personal sense of loss over this senselessness of such an incomprehensible and heinous act The university will immediately set up counseling centers. So far centers have been identified in Ambler Johnston and the Cook Counseling Center to work with our campus community and families.

Here are some of the facts we know:

At about 7:15 a.m. this morning a 911 call came to the University Police Department concerning an event in West Ambler Johnston Hall. There were multiple shooting victims. While in the process of investigating, about two hours later the university received reports of a shooting in Norris Hall. The police immediately responded. Victims have been transported to various hospitals in the immediate area in the region to receive emergency treatment.

We will proceed to contact the families of victims as identities are available.

All classes are cancelled and the university is closed for the remainder of today. The university will open Tuesday at 8 a.m. but classes are cancelled. The police are currently staging the release of people from campus buildings.

Families wishing to reunite with the students are suggested to meet at the Inn at Virginia Tech. We are making plans for a convocation tomorrow (Tuesday) at noon at Cassell Coliseum for the university community to come together to begin to deal with the tragedy.

20070417 In memoriam

In memoriam

April 17^th, 2007

Flag image hat tip: The Hedgehog Report.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Virginia Tech – and our nation - in the wake of the senseless and horrific tragedy committed Monday, April 16, 2007.

Perhaps everyone should put the flag image on his or her web site as a silent tribute.

20070416 Extreme Days

Extreme Days

April 16, 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4uGPOM0a_0

A military music video done with tobyMac’s “Extreme Days” off the “Momentum” album released on November 6^th, 2001.

“Jesus Freak Hideout” has a pretty good review here of the entire album: tobyMac.

This was the first album released by Toby McKeehan who many will know from the alternative Christian rap - hip hop band “dc Talk.”

####

20070416 Remember Me

Remember Me by Lizzie Palmer

April 16^th, 2007

http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ervaMPt4Ha0

A very compelling video about our U. S. Armed Forces in harms way.

The video information indicates that it was posted November 12, 2006. It was just called to my attention by R2 in an e-mail this evening…

####

20070416 Press Releases for Baltimore Gas and Electric

Press Releases for: Baltimore Gas & Electric

April 16th, 2007

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Mobilizes Storm Center In Response to Power Outages Caused by Heavy Rain and High Wind

More than 55,000 customers have been restored Ongoing wind is likely to cause new outages throughout the day and evening

BALTIMORE, April 16, 2007 - Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), a subsidiary of Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG), today announced that it is aggressively working to restore service to customers interrupted as a result of heavy rain and high wind which began over the weekend. Because the wind is expected to continue into tonight, it is likely that new outages will occur throughout today and this evening. As a result, it is too early to determine when service to all customers will be restored. As of this afternoon, service had been restored to approximately 55,000 of the 110,000 customers who have experienced outages thus far.

"BGE began monitoring this storm late last week in anticipation of significant rainfall followed by intense wind, causing service interruptions for our customers," said Stephen J. Woerner, vice president of electric transmission and distribution for BGE. "Unlike isolated or fast moving storms, this ongoing event has the potential to create new power outages throughout the day and could cause some customers to experience multiple outages. BGE crews are working and will continue to work to restore service as safely and as quickly as possible, but it is simply too early to provide an estimated time of full restoration. We thank our customers for their patience in advance."

Because of the high wind it may be unsafe for employees to work in bucket trucks. As a result, some restoration activity may be delayed until the wind subsides. Approximately 400 BGE and contract personnel are actively involved in the restoration effort and the company has requested assistance from out-of-town utilities and other external personnel. At this time, BGE is awaiting a response to that request.

The safety of BGE's customers and employees is always a top priority. Customers should avoid downed power lines and report them immediately by calling 1-877-778-2222. Customers also should call this number to report power outages where downed wires are not apparent. Only qualified BGE personnel or contractors are authorized to remove debris from power lines. Customers should never approach downed wires for any reason.

Customers should always be prepared for weather related power outages and can do so in part, by keeping the following items readily available:

Flashlights - not candles

Fresh batteries

Battery operated clock radio

Corded telephone

Fully charged cell phone

Non-perishable foods

Blankets

Customers also should consider filling the fuel tanks of their vehicles in the event a power outage affects service to neighborhood gas stations. For our customers who rely on well water, filling a bathtub with water in advance of severe weather is strongly encouraged.

Additionally, customers with special needs such as those who may be elderly, handicapped or dependent on electricity for medical equipment, should have alternate arrangements in place should they experience an extended power outage. Once service restoration begins, BGE's priorities are public safety issues and critical facilities, such as 911 centers, hospitals and pumping stations. Then restoration is generally scheduled so that the greatest number of customers can be restored as quickly and as safely as possible. However, in cases of extended power outages, consideration is also given to customers who have been without service for the longest. For more information about BGE storm preparation and how customers can protect their families and property, go to http://www.bge.com/.

In addition to monitoring current and approaching weather conditions which could result in service interruptions, BGE regularly conducts emergency training drills during which all aspects of storm related service restoration are tested. BGE also reviews its Electric Delivery Emergency Response Plan to ensure that storm response procedures are up-to-date and in line with industry standards.

BGE is a member of Constellation Energy, (www.constellation.com), a FORTUNE 200 company with 2006 revenues of $19.2 billion. Constellation Energy is the nation's largest competitive supplier of electricity to large commercial and industrial customers and the nation's largest wholesale power seller. Constellation Energy also manages fuels and energy services on behalf of energy intensive industries and utilities. It owns a diversified fleet of 78 generating units located throughout the United States, totaling approximately 8,700 megawatts of generating capacity. The company delivers electricity and natural gas through the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), its regulated utility in Central Maryland.

Contact: Rob Gould
Linda Foy
410 470-7433

Monday, April 16, 2007

20070416 Burglar strikes South Carroll Restaurant Store

Burglar strikes South Carroll Restaurant, Store

Sykesville, Carroll County, Maryland, April 16, 2007

Early Sunday Morning, Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a reported burglary at the Moonlight Café located in the 1400 BLK of Liberty Road.

The owner, who had left the business intact late Saturday evening, discovered the burglary while opening the restaurant. Once inside the intruder(s) entered a second business, “Two Busy Beads,” which is located above the restaurant.

The Sheriff’s Office initial investigation revealed that intruders “forced” an exhaust fan leading into the restaurant, and then entered the business through an adjoining interior door; removing cash from both businesses.

The Sheriff’s Office investigation continues… Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit at 410-386-2900, or the toll free anonymous TIPS Hotline at 1-888-399-TIPP (8477).

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20070412 Local Bloggers Post Generates National Firestorm

Local Blogger's Post Generates National Firestorm

April 15th, 2007

Submitted by MBA News on Thu, 2007-04-12 23:00:

MBANews [Media Bloggers Association]

WKRN Nashville Tennessee reported Local Blogger's Post Generates National Firestorm

Coble has now decided to retain a lawyer with the counsel for the Media Bloggers' Association. They are taking on her case for free. Regardless of the outcome of the threatened lawsuit, many bloggers

_____

“Local Blogger’s Post Generates National Firestorm”

[April 13, 2007, 4:31 pm]

A firestorm has started in Nashville after JL Kirk Associates, a Brentwood-based employment agency, threatened to sue local blogger Katherine Coble.

Coble shared her observations about the job placement company, most of which were negative, on her blog, Just another Pretty Farce .

[…]

A little over a month after her blog post, Coble received a certified letter on behalf of JL Kirk Associates.

The letter stated that unless Coble removes the blog postings about the agency on or before April 13, 2007, Friday, JL Kirk Associates intends to sue for damages due to "false and defamatory statements."

Coble posted about the lawsuit threat on her blog. Her readers became outraged and began posting about the threat on their own sites.

Bloggers said they thought Coble was being bullied.

The world according to Tiff Sniff blogger said, "Writing about your personal experience and opinion in a public forum can't possibly translate into tortuous interference… that's a hell of a lot to prove."

Soon after, popular Web site[s] like [http://www.instapundit.com/] began posting in support of the threatened blogger, causing the story to be seen by thousands.

[…]

20070416 MAN SHOT AFTER STRIKING STATE TROOPER WITH HIS TRUCK

Man Shot After Striking State Trooper With His Truck

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2007

(Elkton, MD) – A Delaware man was shot by a Maryland state trooper last night as he tried to run down the trooper who was attempting to stop him for a traffic violation in Cecil County.

The trooper is identified as Trooper First Class Robert S. Nitz, 26, a six-year veteran of the Maryland State Police. TFC Nitz is assigned to road patrol duties at the North East Barracks.

The accused has not been positively identified and family members have not been notified of his condition. He is believed to be a 49-year-old Delaware man. He is listed in critical condition at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. Charges against him are pending.

At about 6:45 p.m. yesterday, Trooper Nitz radioed the North East Barracks and said he was attempting to stop a 1990 GMC pickup that was displaying Delaware tags registered to another vehicle. Trooper Nitz said he was in the area of Middle Road approaching Blue Ball Road near Elkton and the driver was refusing to stop, even though the emergency lights and siren on his unmarked Ford Crown Victoria patrol car were activated. The trooper reported speeds up to 85 mph during the pursuit.

The pickup driver continued north on Blue Ball Road until about one mile north of Warburton Road, where the road was closed due to the bridge being out. At the point the road was closed, he drove his truck into a yard in front of a house in the 2800-block of Blue Ball Road. Trooper Nitz exited his patrol car and began to wave and shout to the driver to stop.

Residents in the area who witnessed the incident said they saw the uniformed trooper waving at the driver and heard him shouting at him to stop. As the trooper stood between the right side of his patrol car and the yard, witnesses said the pickup driver drove back up through the yard and accelerated directly at the trooper. While still shouting at the driver to stop, the trooper drew his Department issued .40 caliber Beretta pistol.

Witnesses told investigators the truck struck the trooper and knocked him onto the hood of the pickup. In fear for his life, the trooper fired his pistol at the driver. Witnesses said the trooper slid off the hood onto the ground, but got back to his feet as the truck passed and fired his pistol again.

The pickup then ran through a fence and came to rest in a pasture about 200 feet from the road. Trooper Nitz and a witness approached the truck and removed the driver who had wounds to his head and torso. They applied emergency care until fire and ambulance units arrived. No one else was in the pickup.

Due to their injuries, the pickup driver and Trooper Nitz were flown to Shock Trauma in Baltimore by Maryland State Police helicopters. Trooper Nitz’s injuries were found to be non-life threatening and he was treated and released around midnight. The pickup driver remains at Shock Trauma undergoing treatment for life-threatening injuries.

The pickup truck was not reported stolen, but was unregistered. Troopers saw an empty vodka bottle inside the truck, but it is unknown at this time if the driver had been drinking. The truck was towed to the North East Barracks where it will be processed.

Trooper Nitz will be on medical leave due to his injuries and then on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation into this incident. Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit, North East Barracks Criminal Investigation Section and the Internal Affairs Unit are conducting continuing investigations.

CONTACT:

Program Manager Gregory Shipley
Office of Media Communications & Marketing
410-653-4236 (Office) 410-653-4200 (through Headquarters Duty Officer)

20070415 Me and my Prius

Bin Laden Hates This Car

I love my Prius

April 15^th, 2007

I love my Prius. But I keep reading that the fact that I own a Prius communicates an awkward message… Or see below: “The problem is what people think of you if you drive one. Everyone assumes you're a pious, self-righteous eco-puritan Democrat…”

Yes, I bought my Prius for environmental reasons. And yes one of the more over-riding reasons I bought the Prius is for “foreign policy reasons” - - in that I hate to give money to folks who want to kill me and fellow Americans… or just as bad – Hugo Chavez of Venezuela (Say NO to Citgo.)

And yes I would rather give my money to the Japanese than the Arabs. And yes – yes, I would buy an American car if it had the reliability of a Japanese car. Been there, done that, and got the t-shirt.

But I bought my Prius even more for the fact that we have a failed domestic policy that facilitates no national mobilization towards energy independence.

And also in the top-ten list as to why I bought my Prius is that I am an “‘early adopter’ gadget freaks”

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Hat tip: Glenn Reynolds’ “Instapundit” - - HOW TO DRIVE A HYBRID without looking P.C. I should try that! - posted at 05:19 PM by Glenn Reynolds: http://instapundit.com/archives2/004171.php

http://littleurbanity.blogspot.com/2007/04/solving-prius-problem.html

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Solving the Prius Problem

“A Little Urbanity”

http://littleurbanity.blogspot.com/2007/04/solving-prius-problem.html

There's a problem with our Prius, but not with its performance. It gives us just what we expected in that department: great gas mileage, good fit and finish, Toyota reliability.

The problem is what people think of you if you drive one. Everyone assumes you're a pious, self-righteous eco-puritan Democrat, which I am not (even though Al Gore can kiss my carbon footprint). We bought our Prius more for foreign policy reasons than environmental ones. […]

Go read the comments at: Solving the Prius Problem

Yes, you will have to wade through some mindless drivel – but it worth it to read some of the comments that are fun, like: “I've got that problem too. Used to drive by the smelly hippies protesting in front of the WAR memorial building in my little electric GEM car and they thought I was one of them collectivists. But the BUSH 04, NRA and PEACE THROUGH SUPERIOR FIREPOWER stickers usually set them straight…”

Or:

“Look at the demographics of Prius buyers. About half "early adopter" gadget freaks-who are largely Republican…”

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